WithWest Side Story nearing production, Spielberg’s Tony and Maria (Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler) pose for a picture after the latter’s performance in Shrek: The Musical.
“I feel like Maria is somebody I know really well. I’m a young Latina growing up in the New York-New Jersey area. She’s someone I hold very near and dear to my heart.”
“This entire process has helped me realize more and more that we’re the same person. I think we all have a little bit of her inside of our heart: someone that is really hopeful for a future that is equal and beautiful and that one day we’ll find that place for us.”
Rachel Zegler talks to northjersey.com about playing Maria in Spielberg’s West Side Story.
Tony, Maria, and Anita, West Side Story, 1961 and 2021 Film Adaptations
West Side Story was kind of my first real musical theater obsession. It also opened up Shakespeare to me for the first time! Both are loves that have never left my nerdy little heart.
I made Tony and Maria from both movies as well as Ariana DeBose as Anita in Spielberg’s film. If I can find pieces I like, I would love to make Rita Moreno as Anita (and maybe Valentina!). But for now, you can purchase the sets of Tony and Maria or Ariana!Anita HERE at my Etsy.
I’m beginning to think musical relationships like Tony and Maria from West Side Story and Laurey and Curly from Oklahoma! Might actually be why I have ridiculously high standards.
Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story is coming to Disney+ ! Now nominated for 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture, one of the most critically acclaimed movies of the year starts streaming March 2!
Oscar-nominated director Steven Spielberg tells us his love of #WestSideStory, the music, and his father whom he dedicated his Oscar-nominated film to.
these women. this story. this conversation. what an honor to cover @hollywoodreporter’s january 27th issue, especially with two women who have the greatest work ethic i have ever witnessed. i implore you to read our words with an understanding of the cutthroat industry we have found ourselves in— one that is not particularly kind to women, young and not. understand the gravity of our situation. the positions we are put in— uncomfortable, yet informative to not only ourselves, but hopefully the next generation of young actors who may have a romanticized version of this industry in their minds. @arianadebose and i have been blessed to carry a torch that rita lit long ago. and we aren’t going anywhere.
thank you, @hollywoodreporter. and thank you, @joy.wong for the photos, @clarissanya for the lovely hair, @ninapark as always for the beautiful makeup, and @sarahslutsky for the impeccable styling (we love @dior).
and finally, thank you, rebecca sun, for spending some time with us to write this piece.
I love the range of projects we get to work on, we are very fortunate in that regard, similarly another way fortune has smiled on us comes from the fact that we have gotten to work on the last four Steven Spielberg films. We have never actually met Mr Spielberg but like everyone else in the world we are huge fans So for this project, which had such a rich culture-driven aesthetic, we were thrilled to have had our most expansive creative experience yet. We finished a total of 16 different pieces of creative for West Side Story, all of which we are so very proud! A shout out to our partners at Fox/Disney for giving us the runaway and to Team Gravillis for doing what they do - the movie is out now only in theaters and an example of filmmaking craftsmanship of a master – enjoy
“Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine!"
Rachel Zegler just got cast as the new Snow White for the live action adaptation and she already has the Disney princess look down! I just hadddd to draw this!
